Vinyl pressings
by James Taylor · 1970
Fire And Rain was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 10 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
M 17969 S-1D T IIIIRun-out Side A, etched, variant 1
M 17969-S-1C T IIIIIIRun-out Side B, etched, variant 1
M 17969 S -1D ᵀᴵᴵᴵRun-out Side A, etched, variant 2
M 17971-S -1D ᵀᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵRun-out Side B, etched, variant 2
M 17969-S-1A pA-side runout, variant 1
M 17971-S-1A pB-side runout, variant 1
M 17969-S-1A p 6A-side runout, variant 2
M 17971-S-1A p 6B-side runout, variant 2
M-17969-S 1C SI 7423Runout, side A, etched, variant 1
M 17971-S 1D SI 7423-SRunout, side B, etched, variant 1
#7423 M-17969-S 1B SSSRunout, side A, etched, variant 2
7423 M-17971-S 1A SSSSRunout, side B, etched, variant 2
BH #7423 M-17969-D.J. 1A sA-Side Runout Etching
7423 M-17969-S sB-Side Runout Etching
(M-17969)A-Side Label
(M-17969)SB-Side Label
MX162782A
MX162783B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records 7423First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records WCS 35.020First year7", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1970 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 7423First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | France | Warner Bros. Records WV 5150First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Germany | Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records A 7423First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records A 7423 / Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records A 7423First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records WB 7423First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records B.7423First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | South Africa | Warner Bros. Records WBS 52First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records H655 / Hispavox H - 655First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7423First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1970 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7423First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1970 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7423First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7423First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1971 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 74237", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | Warner Bros. Records BR-26597", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| ? | Lebanon | Warner Bros. Records WB 031 / Warner Bros. Records 61167", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
19 vinyl pressings of Fire And Rain are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1970 and 1971.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, Australia, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records 7423, released August 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7423, WCS 35.020, WV 5150, A 7423) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, M 17969 S-1D T IIII and M 17969-S-1C T IIIIII. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
